Method for devices in a network to participate in an end-to-end measurement of latency

A system for determining a latency of a network path in a communication network having at least a plurality of segments, the system comprising:

• a first communication device, an intermediate device, and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device:
• generates and transmits a first test packet to the intermediate device over a first segment of the plurality of segments of the network path, wherein the first test packet stores a first timestamp and a second timestamp indicative of a time a first bit of the first test packet is transmitted to the intermediate device over the first segment;
• wherein the intermediate device:
• computes a first time difference between a time when a last bit of the first test packet is received at the intermediate device and the second timestamp;
• stores the first time difference in the intermediate device to the second communication device along a second segment;
• and
• transmits the first test packet from the intermediate device to the second communication device along a second segment;
• and
• replaces the second timestamp stored in the first test packet with a third timestamp indicating a time when the first bit of the first test packet is transmitted from the intermediate device;
• wherein the second communication device:
• computes a second time difference between a time when the last bit of the first test packet is received at the second communication device and the third timestamp;
• stores the second time difference in the second communication device as an end-to-end delay;
• generates a second test packet by reversing a plurality of addresses associated with the first test packet;
• and
• transmits the second test packet to the first communication device along the network path in a reverse direction of the first test packet.